Short Dive: Healthy Media Choices for Kids; Alternatives to Overstimulating and Fast Paced Digital Content
A Parent’s Guide to Managing Screen Time, Choosing Enriching Shows, and Advocating for Systemic Change in Children’s Media.
Overview
In an era where digital media dominates children’s entertainment, concerns about the effects of overstimulating programs like Cocomelon are more relevant than ever. This post explores how hyperstimulating content can impact children’s behavior, attention spans, and overall development, and why making informed media choices is critical for their well-being.
This post provides a comprehensive guide to fostering healthier media habits, including practical recommendations for parents, such as co-viewing strategies, setting screen-free zones, and incorporating creative offline activities. It also highlights slower-paced, developmentally enriching alternatives to fast paced digital content that emphasize meaningful narratives, creativity, and emotional growth.
Beyond advice for families, this post delves into the responsibilities of content creators, media platforms, and advertisers in creating and promoting child-appropriate programming. It calls for systemic changes to prioritize children’s developmental health, such as improved content standards, ethical advertising practices, and tools that empower parents to manage their children’s viewing experiences effectively.
By addressing these interconnected issues, this post equips readers with actionable insights and advocacy points to navigate the digital media landscape and support healthier, more balanced development for their children
Introduction
Researchers have found that fast paced and overstimulating shows can cause behavioural and developmental challenges, including poor self-regulation, attention deficits, and other long-term effects. Experts have found that these issues stem from the rapid pacing of scenes—many lasting less than two seconds—disrupting a child’s ability to process and regulate their emotions effectively. According to research for children to have healthy development, each scene in a show should be at least four seconds long; many scenes in fast paced shows like Cocomelon barely reach half that.
Jerrica Sannes, a child development specialist with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction, has done extensive research on the show. She has found that shows that are hyperstimulating can acts as a drug to young children. (Link to Sannes’ instagram post on the matter). Using Cocomelon as an example of overstimulating shows she said:
“Cocomelon is so hyperstimulating that it actually acts as a drug, as a stimulant. The brain gets a hit of dopamine from screen-time and it seems that the stronger the ‘drug’ aka the level of stimulation a show delivers, the stronger the ‘hit.’ This leads to
The children experiencing symptoms of addiction and withdrawal, obviously leaving them completely dysregulated
A general discomfort in the speed of everyday life.
The more they watch the show, the more the brain begins to expect this kind of stimulation. This makes it impossible for them to play creatively and without entertainment.”
Sannes also brought up how there are many different signs that kids could be addicted to their screens such as loss of interests, withdrawals, decreased tolerance, deception, escape, and more. (For a more detailed read on the topic follow the link: https://www.muslimmomcorner.com/p/unmasking-cocomelon-the-hidden-risks)
The Burden on Parents: Shifting Responsibility for Regulation
In today’s digital age, the responsibility for regulating children’s screen time has fallen disproportionately on parents, creating immense challenges for families navigating an unregulated media landscape. Platforms like YouTube and Netflix, driven by algorithms designed to maximize engagement, offer little support to parents striving to limit screen exposure. This situation is further compounded by modern-day demands, such as work-from-home arrangements, limited childcare options, and the complexities of managing daily household responsibilities. For many parents, programs like Cocomelon serve as a necessary respite, helping to calm children or occupy their attention during busy moments. However, this reliance on screens often leads to feelings of guilt and frustration, as research increasingly points to the long-term developmental risks associated with overstimulating media. Parents are left in a precarious position, balancing their immediate need for relief with their desire to foster healthy habits and growth in their children.
The challenges faced by parents are exacerbated by media platforms’ deliberate strategies to retain viewers, including autoplay features that seamlessly transition between videos. According to research from ScienceDirect, autoplay increases screen engagement by 50%, making it difficult even for the most vigilant parents to curb screen time. Susan Linn, author of Who’s Raising the Kids?, notes that “Big tech has mastered the art of disguising marketing as entertainment, normalizing materialism among children from the earliest ages.” This focus on profit over developmental appropriateness creates a cycle where overstimulating content becomes the norm, leaving parents to combat an ecosystem designed to captivate children. The lack of guidance and accountability from tech companies leaves parents feeling isolated, as they must navigate this digital minefield with little support. Many parents report feelings of guilt and inadequacy when their reliance on digital media results in unintended behavioral challenges for their children. As one parent shared on o Common Sense Media,
“I feel like I’m constantly fighting a losing battle. The more I try to limit screen time, the more my child resists. It feels like the system is stacked against us.”
This sense of helplessness reflects broader systemic issues in the digital media landscape. Instead of holding content creators and platforms accountable for producing developmentally appropriate media, society places the onus entirely on families to sift through an overwhelming array of options. Most of these choices prioritize engagement metrics over educational value, further straining parent-child relationships and perpetuating a cycle of dependency on digital media. Linn succinctly encapsulates the problem, stating,
“The digital environment for children has shifted from promoting growth to encouraging compulsive consumption.”
This shift has created a paradox where parents depend on media as a tool for temporary calm yet face the long-term consequences of overexposure, including attention deficits, behavioral issues, and impaired emotional regulation in their children.
The systemic neglect of children’s digital media regulation places parents in a reactive position, constantly battling against design mechanisms that make screen-based entertainment so addictive. This lack of accountability forces parents into the role of gatekeepers, struggling to regulate media consumption in an environment that prioritizes profits over the developmental health of its youngest users. Without significant changes in how platforms design and distribute children’s media, parents will continue to face an uphill battle, balancing the practical need for digital distractions with the long-term well-being of their children. This underscores the urgent need for industry reforms and supportive frameworks that empower parents rather than leaving them to navigate these challenges alone.
Mitigating the Risks: Practical Strategies for Parents
Despite these challenges, parents can take proactive steps to mitigate the adverse effects of overstimulating media content. Thoughtful strategies can help families balance the benefits of digital content with activities that promote healthy development. According to Jennifer F. Cross, M.D., an attending pediatrician at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine.
1. Co-watch whenever possible. If children are going to have screen time, the best thing you can do is to watch the show or game with them to help them understand what they’re seeing. Comment on things you notice, ask questions about what is happening, if someone on a show is singing a song, sing along with your child. Engage with them and repeat concepts after the show is over so they’re more likely to retain that information.
2. Choose media wisely. Look to organizations like Common Sense Media for reviews about age-appropriate apps, games, and programs to guide you in making the best choices for your children.
3. Keep bedtime, mealtime, and family time screen-free. Don’t use screens in the car except for long trips, and consider setting a curfew or an agreed-upon time when your family shuts off all screens. Balancing online and offline time is extremely important.
4. Limit your own phone use. Kids will do what they see their parents doing. At a young age, their parent(s) is the most important person in their life, so they will model whatever behavior they are seeing. If they see that you’re behind a screen all day every day, then they’ll see that it’s acceptable and will want to do the same.
5. Emphasize the big three: sleep, healthy nutrition, and exercise. All three are essential to optimal brain growth and development and health and wellness for children and adults alike. And excessive screen time can impact all three. Children who spend more time in front of screens have been shown to eat more fast food and less fruits and vegetables and get less sleep and exercise. Therefore, it is very important to incorporate healthy lifestyle choices as part of the daily routine, as well as limiting screen time.
According to the recommendations provided by Common Sense Media parents should follow these steps:
And not only this parents can also promote alternative activities, such as creative play, storytelling, puzzles, and outdoor exploration, which foster motor skills, social bonds, and problem-solving abilities. For instance, building blocks or drawing projects not only keep children entertained but also encourage creativity and hands-on learning.
In choosing digital content, parents should prioritize slower-paced programs like Bluey and Sesame Street, which emphasize thoughtful narratives, reflective pauses, and opportunities for engagement. These shows serve as counterexamples to overstimulating models, promoting emotional intelligence, cognitive processing, and language development. According to Jerrica Sannes, a child development specialist with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction, the national sensation with three seasons that was created in 2018 named “Bluey” is a perfect alternative to fast paced shows like “Cocomelon”. Bluey is about a six year old blue heeler puppy named Bluey and goes on adventures, play time, and more with her younger sister Bingo, their mom and dad ( Chili and Bandit) and their friends. The show developed a healthy relationship between the parents and the children and is a perfect role model for both children and adults. The parents of Bluey and Bingo show the kids a healthy relationship of playtime and separate time and teach needed skills like sharing, persistence, and how to deal with losing. According to Sannes:
Not only do I believe this to be an amazing show for children I would even say this is perfect for anyone and all ages, it is a extremely comforting show and is easy to fall asleep too, work on school work, just enjoy and more.
Joe Brumm wrote the show based off of his experience raising his two daughters and breaks threw society’s ideals such as mothers staying home and taking care of the house and the kids while the fathers go out to work. Throughout the show we see Bandit at home with the kids while also being an archaeologist while Chili would go out and go to work as a part time airport security guard. There are many other facts about the show that makes the show interesting to watch.
In summation:
Set Clear Limits: Restrict screen time to 1 hour/day for children aged 2–5
Co-Viewing and Discussion: Watch programs with your child and engage them in conversations about the content. Ask questions like, “What did you learn?” or “How would you solve that problem?”
Set Screen-Free Zones: Designate areas and times, such as meals and bedtimes, as screen-free to encourage interpersonal interaction and relaxation.
Promote Offline Activities: Encourage creative play, outdoor exploration, and hobbies to balance screen time with hands-on experiences.
Model Healthy Habits: Reduce your own screen use to set a positive example and reinforce the value of real-world engagement.
Encourage Interactive Media: Choose slower-paced programs like Bluey or Sesame Street that promote active engagement.
Recommendations for Platform
According to the Common Sense Media report titled Young Kids and YouTube: How Ads, Toys, and Games Dominate Viewing: YouTube has made many recent changes to its main platform to accommodate child viewers, such as stopping data collection and behavioral advertising on any child-directed videos. Further changes to consider include:
• All child-directed content could all be moved to YouTube Kids to ensure that ads are age appropriate, and parents have more control over how to curate their child’s feed. Recent estimates show that 80% of children younger than 11 watch the main YouTube platform (Auxier et al., 2020), and more young children use the YouTube app on mobile devices than YouTube Kids (Radesky et al., 2020). More effort could be made to ensure that children access videos through the age-appropriate platform.
• If child-directed content stays on the main YouTube site, there should be limits on ad frequency in child-directed content, especially for toddlers and preschoolers who have the heaviest dose and whose experiences are most negatively affected by disruptions. Although videos are available ad-free through the paid YouTube Premium service, this may exacerbate inequities in the quality of media experiences between lower- and higher-income children.
• In addition, a better system of vetting of ads for age-appropriateness is needed.
• Allow parents or the child to easily turn off recommendations, so that the child can actively search for videos and diversify their viewing. YouTube should not amplify misleading, dubious, or harmful content.
• Work with content creators to improve the quality of videos, and consider developing metrics for higher-quality content, role modeling, or diversity to elevate these videos.
• Overall, if the main YouTube platform continues to have child-directed content—or content likely to be watched by children—then the user interface should be redesigned to empower children to search for more diverse content, plan out and set limits for themselves, turn off the recommendations feed, or understand why they get different video recommendations; or, to allow the parent and child to work together to set expectations about how YouTube will be used. This could include labels on high-quality content so that parents and kids can easily find it, or elevating positive content in algorithms that determine children’s recommendations.
Recommendations for Content Creators
YouTubers and channel content creators also have a role to play in making the platform more child-centered, and to use more ethical practices when it comes to sponsored or branded content.
• Know that young kids watch your channel.
• In accordance with Common Sense’s recommendations to the Federal Trade Commission (Fox-Johnson, 2020), YouTube and content creators should limit commercial exhortations to children younger than 12. Children are especially susceptible to pressure from their favorite characters, including their favorite YouTubers.
• Don’t promote unhealthy foods, drinks, or risky behaviors to kids.
• Work with YouTube to achieve editorial control over the ads that appear on your content.
• Recognize when your ad types will block or disrupt young children’s viewing, and aim to reduce the sheer volume of ads during child-directed videos. For example, Nick Jr. and Disney do a good job of showing no ads during videos, just a sidebar prompt to purchase the full movie or season.
• Resources are available for developing positive and enriching content, such as YouTube’s Creating for YouTube Kids Field Guide (YouTube, n.d. -c)
• More information is needed about the well-being of child performers in live-action videos. Child performers need protections from coercion (e.g., from taking too much time to film videos, taking part in videos that have violent or scary themes, or not being able to stop filming when tired).
Recommendations for Advertisers
Companies that advertise on YouTube may not be aware that their ads are showing up in nursery rhymes, toy videos, or other child-directed content.
• Advertisers should ask for more control over where their ads are placed, and reduce or eliminate placement in childdirected videos if this is not desired.
• Understand that reported coviewing during early childhood videos is only about 60%, so many ads intended for adults may be wasted.
Alternatives to Fast Paced Digital Content
Here’s a list of shows that provide all the entertainment without sacrificing quality or development.
Bluey
It has gained acclaim for its heartwarming portrayal of family life and its emphasis on imaginative play and problem-solving. Bluey features relaxed storytelling, relatable characters and gentle humor that resonate with both children and adults, which is great for a viewing experience that encourages family bonding. With its emphasis on creativity, emotional intelligence, and positive social interactions, Bluey is a standout choice for parents seeking wholesome and educational programming for their children.
Puffin Rock
It offers a tranquil and visually relaxing viewing experience for young children, with its lush animation and soothing narration. Through gentle storytelling and educational themes, Puffin Rock introduces children to concepts such as friendship, curiosity, and environmental stewardship in a way that is both engaging and enriching. With its emphasis on nature, exploration and empathy, Puffin Rock is a welcome addition to any child’s viewing lineup.
It’s important to stay mindful of the fact that children’s content is often designed to prioritize overstimulation and addiction. Appearance alone doesn’t guarantee a show’s suitability; just because they look kid friendly, it doesn’t mean that their effects are. But, by staying informed and watching alongside your children, you can assess their impacts firsthand.
Sesame Street
Sesame Street is a beloved, long-running children's television program that has been engaging and educating kids since 1969. Featuring a diverse cast of puppets, characters, and relatable storylines, Sesame Street combines entertainment with age-appropriate learning, fostering emotional, social, and cognitive development. Its evidence-based approach to early childhood education integrates themes of kindness, diversity, and problem-solving while teaching foundational academic skills like literacy and numeracy.
Unlike fast paced shows that primarily relies on repetitive songs and nursery rhymes, Sesame Street offers rich, interactive content designed to stimulate curiosity and critical thinking. With its focus on healthy emotional habits, inclusivity, and holistic development, Sesame Street stands out as a nurturing alternative that emphasizes meaningful lessons alongside fun and catchy tunes. This makes it a healthier choice for parents seeking enriching screen time options for their young children.
Omar & Hana
This animated series teaches Islamic values through catchy songs and relatable stories featuring siblings Omar and Hana. Episodes explore topics like kindness, honesty, and gratitude in a fun, engaging way. It introduces Islamic teachings in an age-appropriate manner and encourages children to adopt good character traits.
Zaky (One 4 Kids)
Zaky, the lovable character from One 4 Kids, is the centerpiece of an educational and entertaining children’s series that teaches Islamic values, moral lessons, and practical life skills. Through songs, stories, and engaging animations, Zaky helps children learn about kindness, gratitude, and the beauty of faith in a fun and approachable way.
Zaky’s content is thoughtfully designed to nurture a child’s spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth. With its emphasis on meaningful storytelling, character development, and faith-centered education, Zaky offers a wholesome and enriching alternative for families seeking purposeful screen time.
The Adventures of Salwa
The Adventures of Salwa is a captivating children’s series that follows the journey of Salwa, a curious and kind-hearted protagonist, as she explores the world around her while learning important Islamic values. Through engaging adventures, the show imparts lessons on empathy, honesty, patience, and the importance of family and community.
The Adventures of Salwa offers children meaningful narratives and culturally enriching content. By blending entertainment with character-building messages and faith-based teachings, it provides a healthy, engaging alternative for parents looking to nurture their children’s minds and hearts through screen time.
Bismillah Buddies
Bismillah Buddies is a delightful children's series designed to inspire young hearts with Islamic values and life lessons. Featuring cheerful characters and engaging stories, the show teaches essential concepts such as kindness, gratitude, sharing, and love for Allah in a fun and relatable way.
Bismillah Buddies combines entertainment with meaningful education rooted in faith and ethics. Its vibrant and positive content nurtures a child's spiritual and emotional development, making it a healthy, value-centered alternative for parents seeking enriching screen time for their kids.
Qisas Al-Anbiya (Stories of the Prophets)
Qisas Al-Anbiya, or Stories of the Prophets, is an educational series that introduces children to the inspiring lives and lessons of the prophets in Islam. Through engaging storytelling, captivating animations, and age-appropriate narratives, it instills values like patience, faith, courage, and compassion while fostering a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings.
Qisas Al-Anbiya offers spiritually enriching content that nurtures a child’s moral and ethical growth. With its emphasis on timeless stories and meaningful lessons, it serves as a healthy and impactful alternative for parents seeking faith-based, value-driven entertainment for their children.
Barakah Hills
Barakah Hills is a heartwarming children’s program that introduces young viewers to everyday life lessons through the lens of Islamic values. Set in a delightful, family-oriented community, the show explores themes like generosity, respect, and teamwork, blending relatable stories with timeless teachings that inspire positive behavior.
Barakah Hills engages children with its meaningful narratives and character-driven approach. It provides a more holistic experience by combining entertainment with lessons on ethics, cultural awareness, and mindfulness, making it an enriching and family-friendly choice for young audiences
Deen Squad Kids
Deen Squad Kids is a faith-based children’s entertainment platform that provides engaging, uplifting, and educational content rooted in Islamic values. With a blend of fun animations, catchy songs, and positive messaging, it offers young viewers a wholesome experience that promotes moral character, gratitude, and understanding of cultural and spiritual values.
Unlike fast paced and overstimulating shows like Cocomelon, that may focus on general nursery rhymes and repetitive storytelling, Deen Squad Kids emphasizes meaningful themes such as kindness, respect, and family connections, alongside fostering a love for learning. Its content encourages mindfulness, moral development, and inclusivity, making it a healthy and enriching choice for parents seeking spiritually guided entertainment for their children.
Conclusion: A Path Forward to Healthier Media Choices for Children
The rapid rise of overstimulating digital content has highlighted critical concerns about the impact of digital media on children’s behavioral, developmental, and emotional well-being. As research shows, the hyperstimulating nature of fast paced shows can disrupt a child’s ability to self-regulate, focus, and engage in imaginative play, potentially leading to attention deficits, behavioral challenges, and dependency on high levels of stimulation.
Parents today face the dual challenge of managing their children’s screen time while navigating an overwhelming and often unregulated media landscape. Platforms like YouTube and Netflix, driven by algorithms that prioritize engagement over developmental appropriateness, offer little guidance for families trying to balance digital consumption with healthy development. This creates a burdensome responsibility for parents, who must sift through content, establish boundaries, and address behavioral consequences—all without significant support from the media industry.
Yet, there are steps parents can take to foster healthier habits. By prioritizing slower-paced, thoughtfully crafted shows such as Bluey, Sesame Street, Bismillah Buddies, and Barakah Hills, families can provide their children with content that emphasizes creativity, moral development, and emotional growth. These programs are designed with children’s developmental needs in mind, offering meaningful narratives, reflective pauses, and opportunities for interactive engagement. Additionally, incorporating alternative activities like creative play, outdoor exploration, and family storytelling can further balance children’s screen time with hands-on experiences that encourage motor skills, social bonding, and problem-solving.
Parents can also implement practical strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of overstimulating content. Setting screen-free zones, such as during meals and before bedtime, helps create a structured environment that prioritizes family interactions and relaxation. Co-viewing content with children and discussing the themes presented fosters a deeper understanding of what they are watching and allows parents to model critical thinking and emotional regulation. Limiting personal screen use as parents also sets a powerful example for children, reinforcing the value of offline engagement and mindfulness.
While these steps are vital, systemic change is equally necessary. The onus cannot rest solely on parents. Content creators, platforms, and advertisers must be held accountable for producing and promoting developmentally appropriate media. Platforms should implement features that empower families to curate and control their children’s viewing experiences, such as better filtering tools, reduced autoplay features, and limits on overstimulating content. Advertisers should also ensure that their campaigns prioritize ethical practices, avoiding harmful product placements or marketing tactics in child-directed media.
Ultimately, creating a healthier digital environment for children requires collaboration among parents, educators, policymakers, and the media industry. By advocating for systemic reforms and making informed, intentional choices about the media children consume, families can help foster a balanced, enriching environment that supports children’s growth, creativity, and emotional well-being. With proactive steps and collective accountability, we can shift the digital landscape to prioritize the developmental health of our youngest and most vulnerable viewers.
Let’s Hear From You!
Do your kids watch any of these shows? Are there programs they love? Drop your suggestions in the comments!
you are recommending instead of watching certain tv shows we should make our children watch your recommended show. but if they start watching these shows in excess won't it have the same effect on children and their minds?